3 arrested after Belgian raids over ISIS recruiting

BRUSSELS – Belgian authorities arrested three people on Tuesday following a series of raids in Brussels linked to a suspected recruiting network for the Islamic State group.

In a statement, the federal prosecutor’s office identified the three as Azzeddine K, a French national, and two Belgians, Marianna A and Mohamed O. The three were charged with “taking part in the activities of a terrorist group.”

They were among 10 people held as a result of nine raids in four Brussels suburbs, including the Molenbeek neighbourhood where many extremists have stayed.

Computer material and mobile telephones were seized during the searches and were being examined.

Prosecutors said the police action has helped “to establish that several people have probably gone to Syria to join the Islamic State.”

The seven others who had been detained were released after questioning.

The raids are not linked to the deadly attacks in Paris last year, prosecutors said.